December 2008

A 2009 "Vanishing Seattle" calendar arrived on my editor's desk the other day.

The calendar spotlighted golden oldies like Dag's Beefy Boy Burgers, the Twin Teepees Restaurant, Hats and Boots gas station and Abruzzi's Pizza on Pike Street.

(Abruzzi's lives on in a Normandy Park offshoot.)

I've spotlighted vanishing Burien spots like Bells of Burien, Dad and Lad and Lou's Drive-in in previous columns.

Sadly, it's not only buildings with character that have vanished, but also the old characters.

Around here, we lost Dick Dahlgard and Joe Bre

Why, oh why, would anyone abuse our "Greatest Generation" and "Baby Boomers," or any helpless soul-- young, old or in-between?

Maybe simply, "Cuz they can." That answer begs for change.

Sadly, huge opportunities to inflict abuse upon helpless, trusting elderly people exist and perpetuators hide behind a mask of goodness.

He/she is one big chicken-hearted bully behind closed doors motivated by criminal greed. They may be a professional, trusted friend, neighbor, yes, even son, daughter, or husband.

For many of us, an enduring image will be that of the auto executives who flew in their corporate jets to Washington, D.C., seeking financial aid, only to be asked, "Couldn't you at least have downgraded to first class?"

I've been asking myself the same question as, like many, I've watched my nest-egg dwindle faster than I can spend it.

It's crazy to live alone in an 80-year-old, high-maintenance, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with additional guest house - and third bathroom.

I chafed at the irony last Tuesday when I attended a meeting about the problems of

I believe the biggest issue of the third runway is not its opening but the lies of the Port of Seattle to the surrounding communities within proximity of the third runway.

We were told that the third runway would only be used during inclement weather and since it's opening the flights have been going through non-stop-- sometimes as often as three minutes apart on landings.

I don't know how they keep from running into the back ends of previous planes.

The Port now says that the FAA is solely responsible for assigning where the planes are supposed to land.
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Most area non-profits are suffering tremendous cash shortages this holiday season.

Normally, most charitable organizations that serve the poor receive 50 percent or more of their yearly income in the 4th quarter. Because of the current economic crisis, both giver and receiver are strapped. Those in retirement have seen their investments plummet. Those hoping to retire soon must now delay plans indefinitely.

Just when services are needed more than ever the cupboards of those serving are bare.

For years we have enjoyed a better financial picture.

In this week's Times/News there was a letter from Mr. Gooding praising the election of Obama/Biden, who will completely solve the current economic crises, and a snide remark about Sarah Palin and Mr.

As a current high school educator, father of four public school students and president of the Washington Journalism Education Association, I'm dismayed that anyone would be less than thrilled to have Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines) named the recipient of the national Journalism Education Association's Friend of Scholastic Journalism Award.

But in keeping with the First Amendment rights of all American citizens, the Highline Times printed Donald F.

As part of a county-wide movement to encourage local, sustainable holiday celebrations this year, SoCoCulture.org, the South King County Cultural Coalition, has joined King County Executive Ron Sims and the mayors of several south county cities in issuing proclamations to "Buy and Celebrate Locally."

"Even in these challenging economic times, people still want to celebrate the holidays, and many of our local performing arts organizations have really wonderful festivities," said Linda Petersen, SoCoCulture chairwoman, pointing out that in Burien a

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES/NEWS

SeaTac Finance director Michael McCarty says the city's fiscal restraint has put them in a good position to withstand the financial difficulties the nation is experiencing.

At the Nov. 25 SeaTac City Council meeting, lawmakers approved the budget for 2009.

For those baby-boomers who grew up watching "KING's Klubhouse" with Stan Boreson, nostalgia abounds in this year's ChoralSounds Northwest Christmas concert.

Boreson will perform some of his Scandinavian-flavored parodies of Christmas favorites during shows on Dec. 13 and 14 at the Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd St. in Burien. Saturday's performance begins at 8 p.m.